For the first time, more adults in the UK are aged over 45 than under 45 and more people are aged over 65 than are under 16, Office for National Statistics data reveals.

Now, it seems, the average adult believes they are youthful until they are in their mid-50s

This probably explains the results of the survey of 1,000 over-50s commissioned by Love To Learn, an adult education website.

Gill Jackson, director of Love To Learn, said: “These new middleagers are active and certainly don’t see themselves as pensioners.

“Adults in their 50s are overwhelmingly upbeat about the benefits of their age group. They have greater freedom and financial security and a vast majority have a huge appetite to learn new things.”

Broadcaster John Craven, 72, said: “Only a generation ago, many people were pretty old at 60. These days, most of us in our later years are much younger in our attitudes.

“I’m building up a list of things I’m going to do, such as improve my French, study astronomy and be a better photographer.”

The desire to learn new skills peaks in the late-60s. Computers and the internet, modern history, family history, gardening and digital photography are the most popular subjects older people want to learn.

Many are already reaping a wide range of benefits. The vast majority (80 per cent) said it keeps their brain active. More than a third said learning new skills has given them more confidence, self-belief and improved their wellbeing.

Almost as many said it has improved their ability to retain information and nearly half of the grandparents surveyed said it has enabled them to help their children and their grandchildren.